Collection

Communications data

Communications data is a vital tool used to investigate crime, protect the public and safeguard national security.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 17 March 2015

Communications data is the who, where, when and how of a communication but not its content. It is a vital tool used to investigate crime, protect the public and safeguard national security.

Rapid changes in technology, and particularly the increasing availability and use of internet communications means that communications data is not always available to our intelligence and law enforcement agencies when it is needed.

Find out more about:

• legislation relating to communications data
• the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) (Amendment) Order 2015
• Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000
• the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act (DRIPA)
• the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015
• Draft Communications Data Bill - Joint Committee report

Documents

• Codes of practice for the acquisition, disclosure and retention of communications data
  • 15 May 2015
  • Guidance
• Communications data: access by the intelligence and security agencies
  • 21 August 2013
  • Independent report
• Draft Communications Data Bill
  • 14 June 2012
  • Policy paper

Published 17 March 2015